Stereo amplifier for a pair of passive subwoofers.

Well, everyone agreed on the Bryston units and I know these are tremendous amplifiers. Their 20 years warranty is incredible, although they last longer than that !!! The problem is, every unit ( except from EBay) seems to be around $700 or more. In which case, I would buy a SVS or Hsu subwoofer to pair my existing speakers ( Madisound Geminies- Dynaudio clones).

My mistake was not to mention my initial thinking. My stereo speakers consist of a pair enclosures where the highs/mids are on the top box and the bass driver is in the lower box. Since I could use them as passive woofers, I thought I could buy an under $400 amplifier and use it as a sub-amplifier. This way I could use my top boxes ( which extend to around 50Hz) as small and use the bass boxes to reproduce the lower frequencies.

My room has around 5,500sqf and a single subwoofer seems to be short for the space. With the towers using both drivers, I could fill the room better. An used amplifier looks like my economic alternative or buying a big sub from SVS, Hsu or Velodyne...which cost way more and shipping will set me another $150+ for one and double for two ( the avarage cost of a used amplifier).

I still love the idea of a Bryston but, unless I find one good deal, is out of my range...$$$

Gracias all :)

You have a great number of options in this price range if you buy used. Everything mentioned above has potential. You might also want to consider a pair of Marantz monoblocks for around $300 used. If you want to try Hafler, let me know. I have one that I was planning on listing shortly. Have fun with your search.

Thanks.

Ok, this is what I found available under $400:

Acurus A200 ...........$400.00
Hafler DH-200 .......... 225.00
Rotel RB-980BX (2)........ 295.00 and 325.00
Hafler 9300 Trans Nova .. 375.00
Acurus A150 ................325.00
Parasound HCa-1200 .... 375.00
Hafler DH-220 ............. 200.00
Acurus A250 ................$400
B&K ST1400 .................250.00
Muse Model 100 ...........400.00
Hafler XL-280 Excelinear ...350.00

What should I consider?

How about a used Carver ZR series amplifier. These babies really have great control over the woofers. Or maybe even a Peavey GPS series . Both amplifiers are absolute work horses.

Good Luck!

The trouble with inexpensive amplifiers for subwoofers is that they tend to be deficient in exactly places where you need them to be strong: power rating and/or power supply. Big transformers and big capacitors are expensive so that's usually where the cost cutting takes place for inexpensive amps--high power rating don't help much with puny power supply.

You may want to consider finding an inexpensive class-D switching amps using 250-watt or 500-watt ICE modules or similar modules. They don't require large power supply and the inexpensive one don't sound good in the mid and high frequencies but you don't care about that. The bass will be the best that you can get out of solid-state amps.

Unfortunately, I am not familiar with the many small manufacturers that make these amps inexpensively. But I think it is well worth your time to look for them.